Spring is here. So is allergy season. Tree pollen is the biggest cause of spring allergies. People with severe grass and ragweed allergies will feel the symptoms in a couple of months. That means more than 50 million allergic Americans should brace themselves for sneezes and watery eyes.

WHAT ARE ALLERGIES?

Allergic reactions occur when your immune system mistakes a usually harmless substance for something dangerous. The body then produces antibodies which are on alert for this allergen. When a person is exposed to this allergen in the future, the body produces chemicals, such as histamine, that cause allergy symptoms.

SYMPTOMS

There are times when allergies can be more than just an inconvenience. Seasonal allergy symptoms may be mild at first and lead to more severe reactions. Allergy symptoms often include:

Nasal congestion

Runny nose

Itchy nose

Itchy, watery eyes

Sneezing

TREATMENT

Over-the-counter remedies help some people when pollen causes minor allergic symptoms. People with more severe reactions may need to seek stronger treatment from a healthcare provider. Pollen related symptoms may also be reduced by changing your routine. Some ideas include:

Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.

Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.

After spending time outside, take a shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair and put on clean clothes.

Wear a face mask if you do outside chores.

Start taking over-the-counter antihistamines when high pollen counts are forecasted even before your symptoms start.

All Patient First Medical Centers are open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the year, including holidays. Patient First provides non-appointment urgent care for routine injuries and illnesses, as well as primary care for patients who do not have a regular physician. Each Patient First center has on-site digital x-ray, on-site laboratory, and on-site prescription drugs. Patient First currently operates medical centers in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.